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With 2018 just around the corner, here are a few things dentists hope you limit in the New Year.

Sugary Drinks

Sodas, Energy and Sport Drinks and even some coffee contain a lot of sugar. According to the American Dental Association, “When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel”. We all know the best substitute for sugary drinks is water but if you cannot break the habit, do not drink these sugary beverages over long periods of time. Try drinking it with a meal to limit the exposure.

Citrus

Although you may love your citrus, it is acidic and frequent exposure can erode tooth enamel over time. If you cannot do without your morning orange juice, try buying it fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D (both help your teeth stay strong). For you lemonade lovers, make sure you do not sip it over an extended period of time.

Candy

Both chewy and hard candies can do serious harm to your teeth. Chewy candies not only stick to your teeth but they also get in between your teeth allowing bacteria to produce an acid that weakens your enamel and causes cavities. Many sour candies are not only chewy but they are also full of sugar and acidic, so try to avoid these. Hard candies are just as bad. If you bite them you could chip or break a tooth. If you suck on them, sugar is being slowly released, allowing more acid to form and wreak havoc on your teeth. Try sugar-free candies or chewing sugar-free gum to help satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ice

Do not chew ice. According to the American Dental Association, “Chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage enamel.” If you can’t ditch the ice habit try sucking on it instead.

If you have any other questions or would like to schedule an appointment please click here.

Research has shown a STRONG connection between poor oral health and certain diseases.

Bleeding gums are like an open wound and the bacteria in your mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect other parts of your body. Brushing and flossing daily along with regular dental checkups can help keep the bacteria under control and help keep your body healthy.

Some Serious health problems linked to gum disease include:

–Diabetes – According to the California Dental Association, “periodontal disease appears to make it more difficult for diabetics to stabilize their blood glucose levels”.

Taking good care of your oral health is an investment in your whole body health.

We have all heard milk is good for your bones, but how many times have you heard milk is good for your teeth?

Milk is a well known source of calcium.

Calcium helps fortify your teeth against decay by strengthening them. It also helps keep your jaw bone strong so your teeth don’t loosen or fall out due to osteoporosis.

What about Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is beneficial to our oral health because it helps increase the absorption of calcium we get from the foods we consume. Have you ever seen milk fortified with vitamin D? It’s like an extra boost for bones and teeth.

Don’t like Milk?

If you are not a milk drinker there are other ways to get your daily does of calcium and vitamin D. Leafy greens, nuts and seeds are great sources of calcium. Other forms of vitamin D are eggs and fish. You can also get vitamin D just by going outside on a sunny day. A little sunshine is a great way to get vitamin D in our systems. Just remember to be careful about how much sun exposure you are getting. We only need a little.

If you have any other questions or would like to schedule an appointment please click here.

When you think of summer, what comes to mind? I think BBQ’s, swimming and bonfires. And while summer is a fun time, it can take a toll on your teeth.

Here are some yummy foods and drinks to be mindful of this summer.

1-Lemonade – This sweet and tangy beverage contains a lot of acid and sugar which weakens tooth enamel. The citric acid can also dry your mouth, making you want more. Try limiting your lemonade intake. However, if you cannot resist this refreshing beverage try drinking water in between your glasses of lemonade.

2-BBQ Sauces – These tasty sauces are often sticky and filled with sugar, which is hard to get off your teeth. We know not everyone caries a tooth brush with them, so we recommend swishing your mouth with water. Not only will this help loosen that sticky sauce but it will also help prevent that yummy dark sauce from staining your teeth.

3-S’mores – This gooey, sticky treat contains a lot of sugar. Like BBQ sauce, it is hard to get off your teeth. Brush or rinse as soon as you can.

4-Popsicles – Who doesn’t love a popsicle on a hot summer day? They are a great way to cool down. However, popsicles are sugary and contain food coloring that can stain teeth. Just remember, if it will stain your tongue, it will stain your teeth. Again, brushing afterwards would be best, but if you cannot brush, rinsing with water is a suitable alternative.

Summer is a great time to get your teeth cleaned. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please click here. We hope you all have a fun and safe summer.

No one enjoys having bad breath. And sometimes it can scare other people away. Here are some simple ways to fight bad breath and keep people close.

Good Oral Hygiene

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of brushing and flossing regularly. One of the main causes of bad breath is plaque. Brushing and flossing helps remove that offender. You may also want to try brushing your tongue because it can get coated with food particles and foul smelling bacteria. Getting rid of the bacteria can aid in getting rid of the odor.

Chew a sugarless gum with xylitol, like Trident. Xylitol helps produce saliva and saliva helps fight bacteria in your mouth. Do not chew sugary mint candies. Sugar boosts the growth of bacteria in the mouth. More bacteria in the mouth equals more bad breath problems.

Quit Smoking

Bad breath is just one of many reasons stop smoking.

Go to the Dentist Regularly

Seeing your dentist and getting regular cleaning are important to maintaining good oral health. The doctors and hygienists at Andrew Sheng Dental will gladly help you with any dental concerns you may have. To schedule an appointment click here.

The American Dental Association recommends flossing your teeth at least once a day to remove the plaque that a toothbrush cannot reach. It is important to remove the plaque between your teeth and from under your gums before it hardens into tarter. Tarter can only be removed by dental professionals and it can also lead to cavities and gum disease.

How to Floss

When should we floss?

Anytime is a good time. Some prefer to floss in the morning and some prefer to floss at night. And some might floss right after a meal. However if you are having a hard time remembering, a visual reminder is great. Try keeping floss in your car or at work. The most important thing is to remember to floss once a day.

When starting to floss

If you haven’t flossed your teeth in a while and your gums start to bleed, CONTINUE TO FLOSS. That is right, continue flossing your teeth. Bleeding indicates you have an infection and you need to floss more, not less. Flossing helps get rid of the bacteria that are causing your gums to bleed.

If you have questions about flossing or any other dental needs please contact us here.

At one time wisdom teeth were very beneficial. Our ancestors needed extra teeth due to their diet. They consumed uncooked coarse, grainy foods like raw meat, roots, nuts berries and leaves. Chewing these tough and rugged foods required a broader jaw and strong molars.

Do we need Wisdom Teeth?

Many dentist say no. Overcrowding, pain, decay, infection or their position damaging adjacent teeth are some of the reasons dentist recommend removing wisdom teeth. You may not need to have them removed if they are not causing problems, however, according to the American Dental Association “The condition of your mouth changes over time. Wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored because of the potential for developing problems later on still exists”.

How did they get the name?

Wisdom teeth typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25. In the Seventeenth century, that age was when a person matured into adulthood and was considered “wise”, hence “wisdom teeth”.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment please click here.

Do you ever wonder what the numbers you hear your hygienist read off mean?

They are checking your gum health by measuring the depth of your gum pockets. Gum pocket depth refers to how well your gums attach to your teeth. Each tooth has 6 areas to be measured.

How Deep Are Your Pockets?

– 1-3 millimeters are normal and healthy

– 4 millimeters means watch out, you are heading down a slippery slope towards Periodontal disease and gingivitis is active. BUT don’t worry, it is reversible with better home care. Remember to Floss, Floss, Floss.

– 5+ millimeters could indicate bone loss, Periodontal disease and possible tooth loss. The higher the numbers, the higher the chance of losing a tooth.

Your hygienist will also record any sites of bleeding. Bleeding indicates active infection. HEALTHY GUMS DO NOT BLEED.

If you have some 5+ millimeters, more frequent cleanings or a more detailed cleaning may be required to help prevent the pocket depth from getting worse.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment please click here.

If your toothbrush bristles look frayed or smashed, they are not properly cleaning your teeth and it’s time for a new one.

-Go to the Dentist at Least Twice a Year

It is important to get your teeth checked and cleaned regularly. Regular checkups can help prevent small problems from turning into large, painful problems.

–Cut Down On The Sugar

According to the American Dental Association, “When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel”. Try limiting your sugar and if you have a sweet tooth, try sugar-free candies or chewing sugar-free gum.

Incorporating just one of these resolutions will benefit your oral health.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment please click here.